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Sister with Severe memory issues

kdfdmeg
kdfdmeg Member Posts: 4
First Comment
Member
in Caring Long Distance
I am new here and live about 45min wa from an only sister who in this past year has shown signs of severe memory/reasoning issues but refuses to go to a doctor because she says nothing is wrong with her. She lives alone and I do not know what to do to help her. Her symptoms seem to be progressing pretty fast.

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  • Jeanne C.
    Jeanne C. Member Posts: 841
    500 Likes 500 Care Reactions 500 Comments 100 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member
    edited January 1

    It's very hard to get someone to go to the doctor when they don't see that they're having problems. One symptom of dementia is anosognosia, which means that their brain doesn't let them see that they have a problem. Confronting her probably won't change her mind and may cause her to become even more resistant.

    So here is my idea: suggest that she go just to make sure and prove that she doesn't have an issue. Suggest that you attend as an extra set of ears and to support her.

    Do you have medical POA or even a HIPAA release? If not, the doctor won't give you any information. But you can still share a note with symptoms you have seen or possibly a conversation so that the doctor has some background information.

    The doctor should also check for treatable conditions that can cause problems. For example a severe B12 deficiency can cause cognitive impairment.

    I'm sure others will chime in with suggestions. All the best to you both. You're being a great sister, even if it doesn't feel like it.

  • elainechem
    elainechem Member Posts: 175
    Legacy Membership 100 Comments 25 Insightfuls Reactions 25 Likes
    Member

    Does she have a primary care doctor? If so, you can call them and let them know what's going on. Hopefully, they will refer her to a neurologist. Alternatively, you may want to call adult protective services in her area if you believe that her deficits may threaten her health or safety. I recommend that you contact the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900. They will have a lot of other suggestions for you.

  • kdfdmeg
    kdfdmeg Member Posts: 4
    First Comment
    Member
    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/193036#Comment_193036

    I just saw your good response. I have ask her to go to doctor just to make sure there isn’t something going on that could be treatable but she repeats there is nothing wrong for her to go get checked. She hasn’t gone to her PCP in 4 years. I have alerted her PCP all about her symptoms should she ever come in. I am her GA Advance Directive for Healthcare agent.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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